Physical, Policy, and Sociocultural Characteristics of the Primary School Environment are Positively Associated With Children’s Physical Activity During Class Time

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 553-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Martin ◽  
Alexandra Bremner ◽  
Jo Salmon ◽  
Michael Rosenberg ◽  
Billie Giles-Corti
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary School ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Hierarchical Modeling ◽  
Classroom Teacher ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Class Time ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

Background:The objective of this study was to develop a multidomain model to identify key characteristics of the primary school environment associated with children’s physical activity (PA) during class-time.Methods:Accelerometers were used to calculate time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during class-time (CMVPA) of 408 sixth-grade children (mean ± SD age 11.1 ± 0.43 years) attending 27 metropolitan primary schools in Perth Western Australia. Child and staff self-report instruments and a school physical environment scan administered by the research team were used to collect data about children and the class and school environments. Hierarchical modeling identified key variables associated with CMVPA.Results:The final multilevel model explained 49% of CMVPA. A physically active physical education (PE) coordinator, fitness sessions incorporated into PE sessions and either a trained PE specialist, classroom teacher or nobody coordinating PE in the school, rather than the deputy principal, were associated with higher CMVPA. The amount of grassed area per student and sporting apparatus on grass were also associated with higher CMVPA.Conclusion:These results highlight the relevance of the school’s sociocultural, policy and physical environments in supporting class-based PA. Interventions testing optimization of the school physical, sociocultural and policy environments to support physical activity are warranted.

scholarly journals Validation of self-reported physical activity by accelerometry among primary school children in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: a pilot study

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Mary Vincent Mosha ◽  
Elizabeth Kasagama ◽  
Philip Ayieko ◽  
Jim Todd ◽  
Sia E. Msuya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Moderate Positive Correlation

Background: Self-reports are commonly used to assess physical activity in children.  Existing self-reports for physical activity have not been validated for use among primary school children in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. In order to understand if primary school children can accurately report their physical activity, we examined the validity of self-reported physical activity against accelerometer measured physical activity. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from May to July, 2018 among four primary schools in Moshi municipal and Moshi rural districts, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.  A total of 51 primary school children aged 9–11 years were enrolled using a simple random sampling technique. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect physical activity related variables. In addition, children wore accelerometers for seven consecutive days to capture physical activity movements. Spearman’s rank test and Bland Altman plots were used for assessing validity and agreement between self-reports and accelerometer moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Results: The mean age of the study participants was 10 (SD=0.8) years. Majority of the study participants were female 32 (63%). A moderate, positive correlation was found between self-reports and accelerometer MVPA (rho=0.36, p=0.009). Accelerometer had higher MVPA compared to self-reports. Children who reported walking to school had higher MVPA for both accelerometer and self- reports compared to children who use other means of transport to school, e.g. school buses (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study found the moderate positive correlation between self-reports and accelerometers. Self-reports are prone to errors due to recall bias, and this interferes their validity.  More research is needed to develop better self-reported measures with specific activities which can easily be recalled by children. Also, researchers have to be aware of self-reports validity limitation.

Interrater Reliability of the ENERGY Photo-Rating Instrument for School Environments Related to Physical Activity and Eating

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 433-439
Author(s):  
Teatske Altenburg ◽  
Saskia te Velde ◽  
Kai-Jan Chiu ◽  
George Moschonis ◽  
Yannis Manios ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary School ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Interrater Reliability ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
School Environments ◽  
Cohen’S Kappa ◽  
Cohen's Kappa ◽  
Rating Instrument

Background:The school environment can play an important role in the prevention of childhood overweight and obesity. Photos of the school environment may contribute to more adequate measurement of the school environment, as photos can be rated by different assessors. We aimed to examine the interrater reliability for rating characteristics of primary school environments related to physical activity and eating.Methods:Photos taken at 172 primary schools in 7 European countries were rated according to a standardized protocol. Briefly, after categorizing all photos in subsections of physical activity or eating opportunities, 2 researchers independently rated aspects of safety, functionality, aesthetics, type of food/drinks advertised, type/variety of foods provided. Interrater reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cohen’s kappa.Results:Six subsections of the photo-rating instrument showed excellent (ICC or Cohen’s kappa ≥0.81) or good (ICC or Cohen’s kappa 0.61 to 0.80) interrater reliability. Outdoor physical activity facilities (ICC = 0.54) showed moderate, and school canteens (Cohen’s kappa = 0.05) and vending machines showed poor (Cohen’s kappa = 0.16) interrater reliability.Conclusion:Interrater reliability of the ENERGY (EuropeaN Energy balance Research to prevent excessive weight Gain among Youth) photo-rating instrument was good-to-excellent for 6 out of 9 characteristics of primary school environment components related to physical activity and eating.

scholarly journals Physical Activity Levels in Physical Education Lessons at Singapore Primary School

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-123
Author(s):  
Nur Syahida Binte Jamaluddin ◽  
Masato Kawabata
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Dominant Hand ◽  
Physical Activity Intensity ◽  
Activity Intensity ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

Physical education (PE) lessons are the appropriate occasions to promote physical activity for children. Although the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels during PE lessons were investigated in several countries, MVPA levels during PE lessons were never reported at Singapore primary schools. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate physical activity intensity levels during PE lessons at a Singapore primary school. A total of 93 students (40 girls) voluntary participated in the study: 28 in Grade 1, 39 in Grade 4, and 26 in Grade 6. They were asked to wear an accelerometer on their non-dominant hand in two PE lessons to measure physical activity levels objectively. They also completed questionnaires on their experiences during the PE lessons. The average of the MVPA levels time (%) in the scheduled lesson time across the three grades was 46.98 ± 5.25%, but the average of the MVPA levels time (%) in the actual lesson time was 69.74 ± 7.31%. These results indicated that it would be possible to achieve the recommended MVPA time in PE lessons. The findings of this study would be useful for PE teachers to reflect whether their PE lessons are efficient to promote primary school student’s physical activity levels.

scholarly journals Ecological study of playground space and physical activity among primary school children

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. e034586
Author(s):  
Anne C Grunseit ◽  
Blythe Jane O'Hara ◽  
Bradley Drayton ◽  
Vincent Learnihan ◽  
Louise L Hardy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Cardiovascular Fitness ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Nutrition Survey ◽  
School Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Predicted Probability

ObjectivesTo examine the relationship between school playground size and total physical activity (PA), fitness and fundamental movement skills (FMS) of primary school students.DesignCross-sectional ecological analysis.Setting43 primary schools in New South Wales, Australia.ParticipantsData were from 5238 students, aged 5 to 12 years, participating in the Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey.Outcome measuresSelf (for age ≥11 years) and parent (for age <11 years) report of PA (meeting PA recommendations and number of days meeting recommendations), objectively measured FMS and cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness.ResultsAssociations between playground space and measures of PA and fitness were mostly non-linear and moderated by loose equipment. Students in schools with no loose equipment showed a weak association between space and meeting PA recommendations (self-report). In schools with equipment, students’ predicted probability of meeting PA recommendations increased sharply between 15 m2 and 25 m2 per student from 0.04 (95% CI: 0.01 to 0.08) to 0.30 (95% CI: 0.14 to 0.46), but at 30 m2 returned to levels comparable to students in schools with no equipment (0.18, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.28). For cardiorespiratory fitness, in schools with no loose equipment, probabilities for being in the healthy cardiovascular fitness zone varied between 0.66 and 0.77, showing no consistent trend. Students in schools with loose equipment had a predicted probability of being in the healthy fitness zone of 0.56 (95% CI: 0.41 to 0.71) at 15 m2 per student, which rose to 0.75 (95% CI: 0.63 to 0.86) at 20 m2 per student. There was no relationship between space and FMS.ConclusionsSchool space guidelines need to incorporate sufficient playground space for students. Our study provides evidence supporting better PA outcomes with increasing space up to 25 m2 per student, and access to loose equipment, however further research is required to determine precise thresholds for minimum space. Intersectoral planning and cooperation is required to meet the needs of growing school populations.

scholarly journals Calibration and validation of the Youth Activity Profile as a physical activity and sedentary behaviour surveillance tool for English youth

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart J Fairclough ◽  
Danielle L Christian ◽  
Pedro F Saint-Maurice ◽  
Paul R Hibbing ◽  
Robert J Noonan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sedentary Behaviour ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Group Level ◽  
Activity Profile ◽  
The Us ◽  
Youth Activity ◽  
Out Of School

Abstract Background Calibration algorithms applied to the Youth Activity Profile (YAP) self-report questionnaire in the US have accurately estimated moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviour (SB). However, the efficacy of the calibration algorithms may vary when applied to different populations. We aimed to: (1) assess the accuracy of US-generated YAP calibration algorithms for MVPA and SB with English youth, (2) validate English-specific YAP calibration algorithms, (3) examine their potential surveillance utility to assess compliance to MVPA guidelines. Methods Four primary schools and five secondary schools were recruited. Four-hundred-and-two participants (aged 9-16 years; 212 boys) wore SenseWear Armband Mini devices (SWA) for eight days and completed the YAP on the eighth day. For aim (1) the original US calibration algorithms were applied to the YAP scores, which were matched to SWA-estimated in-school, out-of-school, and weekend MVPA and out-of-school SB data. For aim (2) new calibration algorithms for the equivalent time-segments were generated from the English YAP data using quantile regression. The algorithms were applied in an independent cross-validation sample, and individual- and group-level agreement were assessed using bias, mean absolute percent error (MAPE) and equivalency tests, respectively. For aim (3) the utility of the English YAP algorithms to assess compliance to MVPA guidelines was examined using kappa, sensitivity, and specificity. Results Agreement between the US calibration algorithms and SWA estimates of MVPA and SB was poor. Group-level MAPE for the English YAP-estimates of in-school, out-of-school, and weekend MVPA ranged from 3.6% to 17.3%. Bias for these estimates were 17.2 (34.4), 31.6 (14.0), and -4.9 (3.6) min·week-1, respectively. Out-of-school SB was over-predicted by 109.2 (11.8) min·week-1 (MAPE=11.8%). Predicted YAP values were within 15%-20% equivalence of the SWA estimates. Classification accuracy of the English YAP MVPA estimates for compliance to 60 min·day-1 and 30 min·school-day-1 MVPA recommendations were 91%/37% and 89%/57% sensitivity/specificity, respectively. Conclusions The English YAP generated robust group-level estimates of MVPA and SB and has potential for surveillance to monitor compliance with MVPA guidelines. The YAP’s accuracy may be further improved through research work with more representative UK samples to enhance the calibration process and to refine the resultant algorithms.

scholarly journals Description and comparison of physical activity from self-reports and accelerometry among primary school children in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: a pilot study

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Mary Vincent Mosha ◽  
Elizabeth Kasagama ◽  
Philip Ayieko ◽  
Jim Todd ◽  
Sia E. Msuya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Significant Positive Correlation ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Self Reports

Background: Self-reports are commonly used to assess physical activity in children. Existing self-reports for physical activity have not been validated for primary school children in Tanzania. To understand if primary school children can accurately report their physical activity, we examined the validity of self-reported physical activity against accelerometer measured physical activity. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May to July 2018. We conveniently selected four primary schools in Moshi municipal and Moshi rural districts in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. From these districts, 51 children aged 9 – 11 years were randomly selected. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect physical activity-related variables. Children wore accelerometers for seven consecutive days to capture physical activity movements. Spearman’s rank test and Bland Altman plots were used for assessing validity and agreement between self-reports and accelerometer moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Results: The study participants' mean age was 10 (SD=0.8) years, and 32 (63%) were girls. A significant positive correlation was found between self-reports and accelerometer MVPA (rho=0.36, p=0.009). The mean total of weekday minutes in MVPA from accelerometers was higher than from self-reports, 408 (SD = 66) versus 261 (SD = 179). Conclusions: This study found a significant positive correlation between self-reports and accelerometers. Self-reports are prone to errors due to recall bias, which interferes with their validity. More research is needed to develop better self-reported measures with specific activities that children can easily remember. Also, researchers should carefully consider the inherent limitations in the validity of self-reports.

scholarly journals Directly Observed Physical Activity of Year 1 Children during School Class Time: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3676
Author(s):  
Kirstin Macdonald ◽  
Nikki Milne ◽  
Rodney Pope ◽  
Robin Orr
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
School Class ◽  
Class Time ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

Providing physical activity opportunities to children throughout the school day may be beneficial for children’s health and learning. Existing practices regarding the frequency, type and context of physical activity opportunities being provided to children in the early years of primary school remains largely unknown. The aim of this study was to observe Year 1 children’s physical activity and its contexts during school class time and identify opportunities to incorporate additional activity. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 34 Year 1 children (20 boys, 14 girls; mean age = 6.36 ± 0.34 years) from one primary school in Queensland, Australia. A modified version of the Observational System for Recording Physical Activity in Children—Elementary School was used to assess children’s physical activity and its contexts during class time. Observational data were collected over a four-week period. The frequencies (and percentages) of intervals of children’s activity observed in sedentary, light and moderate-to-vigorous intensities during different instructional and social contexts and physical settings were recorded and calculated. Pearson’s chi-square test of association was conducted to evaluate whether social context (group composition) was related to incidental physical activity. A total of 5305 observation intervals (i.e., 5 s observation interval followed by a 25 s recording interval) were available for analysis (~44 h of observation). Year 1 children were sedentary for the majority (86%) of observed intervals during school class time. Children spent limited time performing light (12% of intervals) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (2% of intervals). Organised physical activity observed during class time included physical education/school sport (5.9% of intervals) and classroom-based physical activity (2.8% of intervals). When children completed activities in small groups, they were significantly more likely to engage in incidental physical activity than when they completed activities as a whole class (χ2 = 94.73 p < 0.001). Incorporating movement into academic lessons or during transitions between lessons and classrooms may encourage children to be more active. Incidental physical activity may also be promoted through small group activities. Schools should ideally be encouraged and supported to employ a whole-of-school approach to physical activity promotion, which includes identifying and implementing opportunities for children to be active during class time.

scholarly journals Validation of self-reported physical activity by accelerometry in Tanzanian primary school children

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Vincent Mosha ◽  
Elizabeth Kasagama ◽  
Philip Ayieko ◽  
Jim Todd ◽  
Sia Msuya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Reference Method ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Reports

Abstract Background: Insufficient physical activity is a serious public health concern. Assessing physical activity accurately in children remains a challenge and valid tools for its assessment in African children are needed. This study compares self-reports versus accelerometry-captured physical activity.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 51 primary school children aged 9 – 11 years from four primary schools in Kilimanjaro region were enrolled. Children were asked to complete a self-reported questionnaire on physical activity and wore an accelerometer for seven consecutive days. Accelerometry was used as a reference method to assess for child reporting accuracy.Results: Spearman correlation between self-reports and accelerometry was moderate (r=0.41, p=0.002). Children who reported walking to school had higher moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for both accelerometry and self- reports compared to their counterparts (p < 0.001). Intra-class correlation (ICC) showed that 32% of the variations in accelerometry weekly total MVPA was contributed by the differences in activities between children.Conclusions: Objective measures of physical activity such as accelerometers can be used to accurately measure physical activity in children where feasible. Self-reports have limited validity, and therefore more research is needed to develop better self-reported measures with specific activities which can easily be recalled by children.

scholarly journals Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity in Primary School Children: Inactive Lessons are Dominated Maths and English

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy Daly-Smith ◽  
Matthew Hobbs ◽  
Jade Morris ◽  
Margaret Anne Defeyter ◽  
Geir Kare Resaland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Multilevel Models ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
North East ◽  
School Day ◽  
The Individual

Background: A large majority of primary school pupils fail to achieve 30-minutes in-school moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The aim of this study was to investigate MVPA accumulation and subject frequency during academic lesson segments and the broader segmented school day. Methods: 122 children (42.6% boys; 9.9&plusmn;0.3yrs) from six primary schools in North East England, wore uniaxial accelerometers for eight consecutive days. Subject frequency was assessed by teacher diaries. Multilevel models (children nested within schools) examined significant predictors of MVPA across each school-day segment (lesson one, break, lesson two, lunch, lesson three). Results: Pupils averaged 18.33&plusmn;8.34 minutes of in-school MVPA and 90.2% failed to achieve the in-school 30-minute MVPA threshold. Across all school-day segments, MVPA accumulation was typically influenced at the individual level. Lesson one and two - dominated by Math and English - were less active than lesson three. Break and lunch were the most active segments. Conclusion: This study breaks new ground, revealing MVPA accumulation and subject frequency varies greatly during different academic lessons. Morning lessons were dominated by the inactive delivery of Math and English, whereas afternoon lessons involved a greater array of subject delivery that resulted in marginally higher levels of MVPA.

scholarly journals Automatic and Motivational Predictors of Children’s Physical Activity: Integrating Habit, the Environment, and the Theory of Planned Behavior

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 999-1005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Thomas ◽  
Dominic Upton
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Theory Of Planned Behavior ◽  
Planned Behavior ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Habit Strength ◽  
Environmental Correlates ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Significant Direct Effect ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

Background:Physical activity determinant studies now often include both environmental and sociocognitive factors but few of them acknowledge and explore the mechanisms underlying relevant environmental influences. This study explored environmental correlates of children’s self-reported physical activity and potential mediation through the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and habit strength.Methods:Six hundred and twenty-one pupils aged 9–11 years were recruited from 4 primary schools in the UK. TPB variables, habit strength and environmental variables were assessed at baseline. Self-reported physical activity was assessed 1 week later.Results:Mediation tests revealed that 43% of the association between convenient facilities and intention was mediated through subjective norms (17%) and habit (26%), while 15% of the association between convenient facilities and physical activity was mediated through habit strength alone. A significant direct effect of convenient facilities and resources in the home environment on physical activity was also found. The school environment was not significantly related to children’s physical activity intentions or behavior.Conclusion:The results suggest that the environment influences children’s physical activity both directly and indirectly and that habit strength seems to be the most important mediator for this association.

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